The Importance of Vision

Having just joined yet another non-profit board of directors, I am amazed at how many organizations have no vision. How do they hope to prosper and grow without one? When I met with the President of this board and our Executive Director, I asked several questions. First, what is the organization all about -- why do we exist and what do we do? That, of course, is the mission of the organization. I had read the mission statement only by going to the web site and doing so. Our board "planning retreat" made no mention of it. Nonetheless, I was already familiar with the mission. But my second question was more pointed: where do we want to go? Already a member of three other boards, I have neither the time nor the desire to attend more meetings that will ultimately result in the status quo. The bottom line is that the organization has no stated vision and is, therefore, going nowhere definite.

Further discussion with these two intelligent, dedicated ladies convinced me to stay with the board -- at least for now -- to try to help alleviate this lack of direction. And the Executive Director promised to send me a copy of the organization's Strategic Action Plan, which I did not know existed and am willing to bet the other 20 or so members of the board do not, either. After receiving the plan and reading it carefully, I believe someone put much effort into the document but that it remains just that -- a slick but lifeless document -- not the dynamic, "living" strategic plan I believe is needed.

So why the title of this blog? My experience illustrates that many organizations and the people in them simply fail to understand the power and importance of vision. Many people in this world are leaders and even more are followers. Being either is quite acceptable. Followers become dedicated followers, however, when they are inspired by leaders and become committed to achieving a worthwhile vision. While there are certainly people happy with status quo and relative "sameness," most people love the challenge and adventure of growing and achieving higher goals. Without a clear vision, leaders deprive their followers of this inspiration. In short, people -- whether leaders or followers, like to win. But they have to know where the game is going and what the plan of action is in order to achieve the victory.

As a leader, please don't deprive your followers of the vision they need to succeed and grow.